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Texans general manager Charley Casserly has indicated a willingness to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the April 29 NFL draft. Now the question is which team, if any, will take the bait.
The Jets?
A person with knowledge of a potential draft-day deal said last night that the Texans might be interested in the Jets' No. 4 overall pick if the right package were presented. Such a trade almost certainly would include defensive end John Abraham. If it were made, the Jets would be interested in drafting quarterback Matt Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner who led USC to back-to-back national titles.
"The Giants traded up from No. 4 to No. 1 to get Eli Manning," the person said. "So why not the Jets? This could be their chance to make the same kind of splash as the Giants. Leinart has that star quality that would play well in New York."
Neither Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum nor coach Eric Mangini has tipped his hand about draft-day intentions. But a person familiar with the Jets' thinking last night shot down any proposed deal, saying, "There's nothing to it."
Perhaps not now, since trades of this nature almost never happen this early. But if Leinart is on the Jets' radar - and some scouts believe he is - he might be there for the taking.
Two people with knowledge of the top of the draft said yesterday that the Saints, who have the No. 2 overall pick, also are interested in Leinart. Another person said the Titans, at No. 3, also like Leinart. Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow was Leinart's coordinator for his sophomore and junior seasons.
"We've talked to teams about the pick, and we're willing to move," Casserly said last night by telephone from Indianapolis.
Casserly added he doesn't believe a deal is imminent. "I think it will probably be April before this thing gets serious," he said.
The Texans initially seemed set to take USC tailback Reggie Bush with the No. 1 pick, and they still might. But the team expanded its search to include Texas quarterback Vince Young after a sensational performance in beating USC in the Rose Bowl for the national championship.
There are questions about Young's performance on the Wonderlic intelligence test, given to all players at the Indianapolis combine. Some reports suggested Young scored only a 6 out of 50, but subsequent reports said he scored 16 - still low - after re-taking the test.
If the Texans were to deal themselves into the No. 4 spot, they'd almost certainly ask for Abraham, who would immediately upgrade Houston's pass rush. The Jets already have explored trade possibilities involving Abraham, who has been designated their franchise player. Other potential trade partners include the Redskins and Broncos.
Complicating the Jets' situation is quarterback Chad Pennington's uncertain status. The Jets are trying to reduce his 2006 salary by as much as $7 million, and negotiations continue, according to two people familiar with the talks.
On Friday, Pennington is due a $3-million bonus. Even if he were to agree to a restructured contract, it wouldn't stop the Jets from considering a quarterback in the draft, either Leinart or Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler.
A promising development that could help the Jets is renewed optimism that the owners and the NFL Players Association are on the verge of extending the collective-bargaining agreement. That deal, which could be agreed on as early as today, would be particularly helpful to the Jets, who have waived several players - including safety Oliver Celestin, let go yesterday - to lower their salary-cap figure. A settlement would give the Jets more cap room.
Source: newsday.com
The Jets?
A person with knowledge of a potential draft-day deal said last night that the Texans might be interested in the Jets' No. 4 overall pick if the right package were presented. Such a trade almost certainly would include defensive end John Abraham. If it were made, the Jets would be interested in drafting quarterback Matt Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner who led USC to back-to-back national titles.
"The Giants traded up from No. 4 to No. 1 to get Eli Manning," the person said. "So why not the Jets? This could be their chance to make the same kind of splash as the Giants. Leinart has that star quality that would play well in New York."
Neither Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum nor coach Eric Mangini has tipped his hand about draft-day intentions. But a person familiar with the Jets' thinking last night shot down any proposed deal, saying, "There's nothing to it."
Perhaps not now, since trades of this nature almost never happen this early. But if Leinart is on the Jets' radar - and some scouts believe he is - he might be there for the taking.
Two people with knowledge of the top of the draft said yesterday that the Saints, who have the No. 2 overall pick, also are interested in Leinart. Another person said the Titans, at No. 3, also like Leinart. Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow was Leinart's coordinator for his sophomore and junior seasons.
"We've talked to teams about the pick, and we're willing to move," Casserly said last night by telephone from Indianapolis.
Casserly added he doesn't believe a deal is imminent. "I think it will probably be April before this thing gets serious," he said.
The Texans initially seemed set to take USC tailback Reggie Bush with the No. 1 pick, and they still might. But the team expanded its search to include Texas quarterback Vince Young after a sensational performance in beating USC in the Rose Bowl for the national championship.
There are questions about Young's performance on the Wonderlic intelligence test, given to all players at the Indianapolis combine. Some reports suggested Young scored only a 6 out of 50, but subsequent reports said he scored 16 - still low - after re-taking the test.
If the Texans were to deal themselves into the No. 4 spot, they'd almost certainly ask for Abraham, who would immediately upgrade Houston's pass rush. The Jets already have explored trade possibilities involving Abraham, who has been designated their franchise player. Other potential trade partners include the Redskins and Broncos.
Complicating the Jets' situation is quarterback Chad Pennington's uncertain status. The Jets are trying to reduce his 2006 salary by as much as $7 million, and negotiations continue, according to two people familiar with the talks.
On Friday, Pennington is due a $3-million bonus. Even if he were to agree to a restructured contract, it wouldn't stop the Jets from considering a quarterback in the draft, either Leinart or Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler.
A promising development that could help the Jets is renewed optimism that the owners and the NFL Players Association are on the verge of extending the collective-bargaining agreement. That deal, which could be agreed on as early as today, would be particularly helpful to the Jets, who have waived several players - including safety Oliver Celestin, let go yesterday - to lower their salary-cap figure. A settlement would give the Jets more cap room.
Source: newsday.com